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New Rider ForumsJust joining the motorcyclist hobbie? Looking to get some information about a first bike? Or have some newbie questions. Are you new to the website?
So a little background about me, I'm fairly mechanical, athletic and I've driven a manual transmission for years. Took the MSF course about two years ago, passed with a motorcycle endorsement on my Florida license.
Just picked up an '06 Ninja 250 with 4600 miles. Gorgeous bike, perfect condition. Which is why I'm so scared to ride it! I don't want to scratch it up!
I know I'm being a big p***y about this, but I've got the straight part down. I rode it into my drive way off of my trailer and everything. But, what gets me is turning. Tight turns scare the bajesus out of me. Long wide turns are one thing, they're just as easy as going straight. But tight turns where a moderate amount of clutch control and braking is essential scares me to no end. I'm afraid I'll drop the bike. Any ideas to get over the heeby jeebies? Should I go retake the MSF course to gain some confidence back, or should I save the 200 dollars and just have a go at it. Of course, I'm practicing this all in a safe neighborhood away from traffic, so no worries there.
Check and see if there are any large lots in your area... Industrial lots, church parking lots, school parking lots, etc. Practice, practice, practice, GEAR.
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Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
Check and see if there are any large lots in your area... Industrial lots, church parking lots, school parking lots, etc. Practice, practice, practice, GEAR.
haha, gotta get to them first! thats the first issue.
You'll have to exorcise those self doubts pretty quickly if you are going to have any fun. You bought the thing to ride and that's what it was made for - so, if you don't use it that way you are cheating yourself.
Start out by riding on some of the more quiet streets around your house and then find a nice lot where you can practice. When you get to that lot, work on starts and stops first - pick the point where you want to stop, and then make that happen consistently. Then practice braking to that same point later and later (by using more brake pressure) to simulate some emergency stops.
Practice starts too, so you don't kill the bike out on the street. A lot of fall overs happen when you stall, so get good at this too and you will eliminate a lot of the most basic problems. Once you get pretty comfortable with that, you are ready to get out and start mixing it up on a little busier street until you work your way up.
What you're describing is usually more of a problem with people who buy brand new bikes, one big reason it's not recommended. In your case, you just have to remember that this is your first bike, not your last, and you'll probably be selling it, one way or another, within two years.
Here's an exercise you can do on a lawn that may help. Sit on the bike, engine off, in first gear. Now get off, without using the side stand, just balancing the bike. Get back on. Get off the right side. Get back on. Get off again. Now walk around the bike - balancing it by holding the fairings, seat, etc. as you move around it.
This is really good for developing a comfort level with the weight and balance of the bike. Yes, you may drop it - that's what the lawn is for. Worst case, you break a mirror and quit worrying about it.
So, right after I saw the first person respond, I took a shower, grew some testicles and took the bike out for two hours. It all came back to me. Its surprising how muscle memory works. Went on the highway for about two exits, got up to 70 and let me tell you, that little 250 as mighty as it may be, seems a bit scary for the highway. Perhaps just needs some getting used to. I practiced safety stops, and starting quickly, as well as U-turns and upshifting and downshifting quickly. Had my first scare with too much downshifting and letting the throttle out too fast, had some rear wheel hop. What I need to practice most is going from 50-60 mph down to say 15-20 to make a turn...the whole downshifting process and hitting the brakes. I'm hitting the brakes first obviously, and then shifting into the proper gear, generally 2nd, but I feel like I'm letting the clutch out too earlier, as the key from my understanding is to let it out at the turn and roll the throttle through the turn rather than have the bike lurch RIGHT before the turn.
Bahh...it's been a long day, and I've finally broken in my new bike. It's a good feeling. thanks again guys.
Don't pull in the clutch and let it out mid turn. You should downshift to the right gear as you brake (this will get smoother with practice) roll the bike into the turn and start turning the throttle right at the apex so you are accelerating as you leave the corner.
All this takes practice. This is a good parking lot task because you can adjust your line to something less sharp if you don't feel confident.
I do think getting out there and riding is the right thing to do though, so keep it up.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmass03
I'm afraid I'll drop the bike. Any ideas to get over the heeby jeebies?
Drop it.
No really, once that first ones outta the way it's easier to swallow. Just make sure you get sliders first.
(edit) No I don't mean PURPOSELY, but it does settle the stomach a little after you drop it and have to pick it up on your own. Then you know you can do it and realize it's not that big of a deal if the bikes touches the ground.
First time I dropped my FZR I thought the world was going to end. And then I realized it still ran the same and I got over it pretty quick.
Some good advice so far. I'd add that since you're now comfortable on the streets a bit, go to that nice clean parking lot and practice all the msf drills on your bike.
Then add some "courses" of accelerating, slowing, turning, stopping, etc. Assuming the lot is big enough and safe, add some panic stops from whatever speed you intend to hit. Mark your distance using parking stalls and see how short you can make it without wheel lock-up.
All your braking and downshifting should be done before you start a turn. This will all get smoother and more automatic with practice. You can return to the parking lot whenever you run into a situation that gives you trouble.
Also try to find some hilly streets on which to practice. There's nothing more fun than an uphill, off-camber, right turn from a stop sign.
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Never out-ride your ability to react (even stop) within the distance you can see (at least on the street).
When downshifting from a high gear to a lower gear, I always let the clutch back out in each gear for a little bit to let the engine help with some of the breaking...unless I'm coming to a full stop which in that case I just hold the clutch in until I'm stopped.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LA.Rider
Will the 250 ninja even do 100?
I thought it toped near 88?
ITs all mental, once you take it around the block slowly your gonna want to stay on it. I laid my bike down on purpose gently on both sides so I can see if I can pick it up if it ever comes to that. Plus after taking the msf course I grew even more confident because of my instructors.
When downshifting from a high gear to a lower gear, I always let the clutch back out in each gear for a little bit to let the engine help with some of the breaking...unless I'm coming to a full stop which in that case I just hold the clutch in until I'm stopped.
How come you dont downshift/engine brake all the way to a stop?
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Kawasaki Ninja 650R
14,200 Miles and counting
Just bought my first bike! I'm scared shitless!!
thanks again guys.
